CopRice is the animal feed division on SunRice. Photo: CopRice

SUNRICE has confirmed it has permanently closed the CopRice stockfeed mill at Coleambally.

While the Riverina-based rice company has not directly explained the move, prolonged drought in the region and in parts of Victoria and South Australia is seen as a factor in the closure.

A SunRice spokesperson said this decision won’t impact other aspects of the Colambally site which will continue to operate rice paddy storage through the Australian Grain Storage facilities.

“Following a comprehensive review of its operations, the SunRice Group has made the difficult decision to close its CopRice Blending Plant at the Coleambally site in New South Wales, effective 1 September 2025,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said all employees impacted by the closure will ideally be moved to other roles within the business.

“Four employees are directly impacted, and the SunRice Group will seek to redeploy them within the business where possible.

“Those who cannot be redeployed will receive their full entitlements, severance payments, and access to a range of support services.

“The group remains a major employer in the Riverina region, with a significant operational footprint and a workforce of around 600 employees.”

The mill was one of Australia’s largest producers of ruminant feed after SunRice converted it from a rice mill in 2019 as part of its push into animal nutrition, following its being mothballed due to drought in 2015.

At the time, SunRice said the mill would be converted to produce stockfeeds to meet domestic and international demand in the dairy, sheep and beef markets.

The company said it was ideally located, with easy access to cereal grains and by-products, and had 80,000 tonnes of grain storage and excellent grain handling, warehousing and containerised capabilities.

“The Coleambally facility will provide the platform for CopRice to become a leading Australian ruminant animal nutrition producer, as we move from a pellet-only business to offering a complete range of pellets, mash, blends and concentrates,” then SunRice chief executive officer Rob Gordon said in a statement.

Community disappointment

In response to the decision, Murrumbidgee Council Mayor Ruth McRae voiced her disappointment on behalf of the wider Coleambally community.

Cr McRae described the news was devastating for the community and said it was disappointing to see the withdrawal of a business, particularly one that has helped drive the region’s agricultural sector.

It also represents the loss of a significant buyer for feed grains such as barley, lupins, and corn, as well as by-products like almond hulls, broken rice, and grape marc.

“It’s another blow for our regional community following on from the Jerilderie and Darlington Point Bendigo Bank agencies that will also close in October,” Cr McRae said.

“We will continue to advocate for our residents and businesses to attract and retain vital services and industry to the area.”

Source: SunRice, Murrumbidgee Council